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February 28, 2014: Boston Marathon Bans Bags, Oscars to Stream Live Online for First Time, See the Top-Ranked Nightclubs

By Beth Kormanik
Posted February 28, 2014, 8:09 AM EST

1. BOSTON MARATHON BANS BAGS: In new safety precautions responding to last year’s bombings at the finish line, Boston Marathon organizers announced the race would ban bags, strollers, bulky costumes, and other items. Boston Globe: “To help handle some of the issues that may arise due to the no bags policy and other restrictions, the BAA will provide a ‘gear check opportunity’ on Boston Common the morning of the April 21 race. This will give runners a chance to pick up warm, dry clothing shortly after the race. Also, participants will receive warmth retention capes at the finish, which are more substantial than the typical space blankets.” http://b.globe.com/1fvJegg

2. OSCARS TO STREAM LIVE ONLINE FOR FIRST TIME: The Oscar telecast will stream live for the first time, airing over the Watch ABC mobile and online service. The network also ended its stand-alone Oscar app and will provide online-only content such as the backstage “thank-you cam” and full performances of the musical moments. But there is a catch. Variety: “[ABC] is setting up a digital velvet rope: It will let only subscribers of participating pay-TV providers in eight markets watch the full show over the Internet.” http://bit.ly/1ftvgl0

3. SEE THE TOP-RANKED NIGHTCLUBS: With more than $90 million in revenues last year, XS Nightclub at Encore Las Vegas topped the list of the annual Nightclub & Bar Top 100 list for the second consecutive year. Seven of the top 10 spots went to Las Vegas venues. Overall, the industry recorded more than $1.5 billion in combined total revenue last year, and more than 77 percent of the top bars reported revenue growth. See the full 2014 top 100 list: http://bit.ly/NC87kj

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Canary Square will host an Academy Awards party Sunday. The event will include prizes for best-dressed guests and winning Oscar ballots, as well as specialty drinks and passed hors d'oeuvres.

The Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, along with CIC Research, have reported year-end visitor figures: Orange County attracted 44.4 million visitors in 2013, reflecting an overall increase of about 600,000 visitors to the region.

Embassy Suites Hotels, the Hilton Worldwide brand of all-suite hotels, opened Embassy Suites Anaheim—Orange after a $12 million renovation including a complete makeover of suites, meeting space, and indoor and outdoor pool facilities.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science’s annual Galaxy Gala is March 15 at the JW Marriott Marquis. Using interactive screens and other technology, guests will experience a seasonal transformation that begins in a tropical environment complete with lush greenery and palm trees, then turns into a winter wonderland with LED icicle chandeliers and falling snow flakes.

NEW YORK: The St. Jude Winter Ball has been cancelled. New York Post: “Organizers of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital benefit got into a dispute with a firm repping sponsors including Uber, Reebok Sports Club and the Jets. (Sources said the hubbub was because the charity wanted to only give sponsors the needed paperwork to write off donations six months after the event.)” http://pge.sx/OGuru2

Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs Catering is scheduled to appear on Fox 5's Good Day New York this morning to share menu suggestions for Oscar parties.

SAN FRANCISCO: Event app platform Attendify is partnering with Eventbrite with the goal to boost attendee engagement by creating private social networking apps. Event planners can now connect their Eventbrite accounts to Attendify to build apps with a private social timeline, photo sharing, messaging, and attendee profiles that automatically sync with Eventbrite.

TORONTO: Gilt will host an event at the Thompson Toronto on March 13 to celebrate Canadian designers debuting on Gilt. Guests of honor include Sid Neigum and Christopher Bates.

WASHINGTON: The inaugural White House Film Festival is today, with President Obama delivering opening remarks from the East Room of the White House. A partnership with the American Film Institute, the event will screen short films created by K-12 students on the subject of technology in education.